Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s reside protection of the FIFA World Cup semifinal between Argentina and Croatia, taking place on the Lusail stadium.
81’
Luka Modric OUT, Majer IN
Magnificent Messi
With a aim and two assists this recreation, Messi has change into the primary participant to attain and help in three completely different video games in a single version of World Cup since 1966
74’ Substitution for Dybala
Alvarez OUT, Dybala IN; De Paul OUT, Palacios IN
72’ Substitution for Croatia
Kramaric OUT, Livaja IN
71’ YELLOW CARD
Nicolas Otamendi is booked
69’
ALVAREZ AND MESSI!!! Messi makes a wonderful run ont he proper with Gvardiol marking him. The PSG star glides previous the quantity 20 contained in the field and places in a cross as Julian Alvarez slots it in!
68’ YELLOW CARD
Cristian Romero is booked following a rash problem on Petkovic
64’
Julian Alvarez collides onto Modric and the referee is fast to award Croatia of a penalty. But nothing comes off it
62’
Modric takes the free-kick and whips out a lofted ball in a set piece scenario. Lovren heads the ball however Emi Martinez pushes it extensive. The ball is lastly cleared proper earlier than the aim line
62’ Substitution for Argentina
Paredes OUT, Lisandro Matrinez IN
61’
Free-kick for Croratia as Paredes mistimes his sliding deal with on Modric.
57’
CHANCE!! Fernandez’ via ball finds Leo Messi contained in the field and the latter places in a shot close-range. Livakovic does nicely to duck and deflect the shot away
55’
Fernandez will get a nicely directed lengthy ball and his first contact is on level. He runs in and places a brief cross in an try to search out Alvarez however Gvaridol intercepts
52’
Vlasic whips out a shot however it’s deflected and that makes it simpler for Emi Martinez to seize it
50’ Substitution for Croatia
Brozovic OUT, Petkovic IN
49’
Chaos exterior the field as two Argentina gamers are down – Messi and Mac Allister. Paredes will get the ball lastly and he lashes out an extended vary shot that goes straight to Livakovic
47’
Free kick for Croatia as Otamendi fouls Sosa. Modric takes it and whips in a looking lofted ball however Emi Martinez jumps to gather the ball
46’ Substitutions for Croatia
Pasalic OUT, Vlasic IN; Sosa OUT, Orisic IN
Second half underway
Argentina begins as Messi kicks the ball
End of first half
Messi makes a superb run, dribbling previous 4 defenders and reaches deep into the fitting flank however is pushed down. The referee blows the whistle, not for the foul however as a sign that the added 4 minutes is up.
45’
Four added minutes
45’
Dangerous wanting assault from Croatia. As Kramaric on the fitting finds Modric proper exterior the field. The Real Madrid man whips out a robust shot however it’s delfected. Juranovic will get the ball and places in a cross however Pasalic is caught offside
42’
LIVAKOVIC!! Brilliant save but once more. Corner for Argentina and Messi took it. A looking roller from messi is available in and Tagliafico will get his head to it. Livakovic dives full size to push the ball away
39’ GOAAALLLLL ARG 2-0 CRO
JULIAN ALVAREZ!!!! WHAT A RUN!! Counter assault began as messi kneels to search out Alvarez within the Argentinian half. The latter then makes a sensational run in direction of the penalty field. He had choices to cross as two defenders converged. Sosa tried to intercept however the ball bounced again to Alvarez who chiped it via Livakovic for an excellent solo aim
34’ GOAAALLLLLL ARG 1-0 CRO
Familiar territory for Leo Messi as he stands to take the penalty. AND HE HAS DONE IT!! SLOTS IT INTO THE RIGHT TOP CORNER. Livakovic dives the proper means however the shot proves too highly effective for the skilled custodian
32’ YELLOW CARDS
PENALTY FOR ARGENTINA AS LIVAKOVIC OBSTRUCTS JULIAN ALVAREZ INSIDE THE PENALTY BOX! Croatian gamers encompass the match official and he penalises Kovacic too.
27’
Brilliant run from Kovacic as he runs via a few Argentinian challenges to search out Kramaric who’s fouled and it’s a free-kick. A set piece scenario for Modric however nothing comes off it
25’
Attack from Argentina on the left. Paredes dishes out a beautiful via ball as Tagliafico runs in direction of and whips a cross. But a deflection from a sliding juranovic misdirects the ball
23’
Gvardiol commits a blunder whereas clearing the ball and it goes on to Messi. But the latter couldn’t full the shot and it’s a aim kick for Croatia
21’
Argentina is shedding posession regularly. This time, it’s Fernandez. He thinks a bit earlier than passing the ball and the Croatian protection is fast to latch on to him
18’
Messi.. pretty much as good because it will get. He recieves the ball on the fitting with three Croatians converging on to him however La Pulga pulls off a stupendous transfer to counter them and cross it again to Molina
15’
Corner for Croatia as Tagliafico’s interception on Juranovic forces the ball out of play. Skipper Modric will take the nook, he decides to place in a brief cross. A lofted cross goes in an try to search out Dejan Lovren however he heads it extensive
14’
Argentina on the counter now. Alvarez on the left chips it to Fernandez within the center. The latter then places in a via ball directed in direction of Messi however the PSG playmaker falls down. A protest from Messi however the referee says play on
11’
Cristian Romero places in an necessary sliding deal with to kick the ball out as Croatia regarded threatening on the fitting but once more. Perisic from the center tried to search out Pasalic
9’
A assault brews for Croatia as Perisic initiates it on the fitting flank. He passes in an try to search out Pasalic however Molina does nicely to intercept and clears the ball
6’
Modric is tripped however retains going however Tagliafico will get posession. But the Croatian protection reacts as Tagliafico is fouled for an Argentinian free-kick
5’
Argentina taking issues sluggish because the gamers trade brief passes within the center. Croatia lastly will get maintain of the ball as Paredes overdoes an extended ball for a aim kick for Croatia
2’
First assault from Croatia as an extended ball, aimed in direction of Pasalic is available in. Nahuel Molina overtakes Pasalic and clears the ball out of hazard
KICK-OFF!!
Croatia begins the proceedings and it’ll play proper to left for the primary 45 minutes. Andrej Kramaric has his first contact of the match as he will get the ball rolling
T-5
The 2018 group stage conflict recap is about to get underway. National anthems are being performed. Argentina will hope to maintain its title hunt at hand its golden boy Lionel Messi, the one trophy that has eluded him. Meanwhile, 2018 runner-up Croatia will purpose to go all the way in which this time
Starting lineups!
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi
Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Borna Sosa, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic
12:00am – If Lionel Messi performs, he’ll equal Lothar Matthaus for probably the most appearances in World Cup historical past (25). As nicely as being Argentina’s joint-highest goalscorer within the competitors (10), he’s one help away from equalling Diego Maradona’s general file of eight at World Cup finals (since 1966).
11:45pm – Croatia has by no means failed to attain of their 10 World Cup knockout stage matches. However, it has additionally conceded no less than as soon as in every of its final eight, with 5 of their final six such video games going to additional time.
11:38pm – Argentina has gained simply one among its final seven World Cup video games towards European sides (D3 L3), beating Poland 2-0 within the group levels this 12 months. However, two of these three attracts have resulted in penalty shootout victories.
11:28pm – Following its penalty shootout victory towards Brazil within the quarterfinal, Croatia may change into simply the second aspect to eradicate each Brazil and Argentina from the knockout levels of the identical World Cup, after Germany in 2014.
11:22pm – Croatia, the shedding finalists in 2018, may change into the fourth European nation to achieve consecutive World Cup finals after Italy (1934, 1938), Netherlands (1974, 1978) and Germany (1982, 1986, 1990).
11:14pm – Argentina is seeking to attain the World Cup ultimate for the sixth time, a determine bettered solely by Germany (8). It has by no means been eradicated on the semifinal stage earlier than, most lately beating the Netherlands in 2014.
PREVIEW
Lionel Messi and Luka Modric would once more be adversaries; each have waged a struggle for eternity – the engine of Barcelona (Messi is not in Catalunya to the dismay of many) and Real Madrid in one among soccer’s biggest membership rivalries. Now, they face off in one other bitter battle on the grand settings of the Lusail Stadium, the hopes of their nations to make it to yet one more World Cup ultimate.
Predicted 11
Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Fernandez, De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic
Head-to-head
The head-to-head file between the 2 sides in World Cup is tied 1-1. Argentina gained 1-0 in 1998, whereas Croatia outplayed the South Americans 3-0 within the final version. This would be the first knockout recreation between the 2 groups.
Both have come shut however faltered ultimately – Messi in 2014 and Modric the heartbreak (2018) is newer. They have aged since, and their video games at the moment are completely different.
Modric, maybe troubled by the years of these niggles, can hardly final a full recreation however nonetheless runs the Croatian play with an ideal partnership with Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic within the center. The 37-year-old accomplished 103 of his 115 tried passes (probably the most by a participant within the quarterfinal towards Brazil), whereas the trio regained possession 21 occasions, performing as a wall forward of its defence to cease the Brazilians from creating hassle within the essential ultimate third.
“Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatia midfield in history. I don’t think it can be repeated. When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank,” defender Josip Juranovic stated. “I don’t think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game. I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity. The fact that we act and play as a family.”
Today’s schedule
Argentina vs Croatia – December 14 – 12:30am – Lusail stadium
Messi, too, has modified and waits for his moments as his boys’ dash, deal with and jostle to present their captain an additional sliver of house. At 35, he’s lastly having a World Cup of his desires. His decisive interventions – the cross to Nahuel Molina towards the Dutch or the aim via the legs of Australia’s Harry Souttar – have elevated a bunch of middling stars very like Diego Maradona did to Argentina of 1986.
“Leo is our leader, who is pushing and motivating us, and he gives us that special advantage. We know we have Messi on the pitch and that inspires us. And all of us try to work in the same direction and do it with Messi by our side,” stated Nicolas Tagliafico, who will take the place of Marcos Acuna, suspended after receiving two bookings.
Croatia, a rustic of 4 million, has already achieved the exceptional and the emergence of RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol, carrying a price ticket of GBP 70 million, has additional strengthened its defence. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made 11 saves towards Brazil and stopped the Rodrygo’s penalty that took Croatia to consecutive semifinals within the quadrennial occasion. They will make Argentina’s life depressing, providing a staunch rear-guard that might be arduous to interrupt. Zlatko Dalic’s aspect reached the 2018 World Cup ultimate with out profitable any of its knockout video games in regulation time and can look to repeat the efficiency once more.
Argentina, although, has regarded extra cohesive in assault since introducing Julian Alvarez upfront, and Enzo Fernandez, too, has made an influence and had probably the most ahead actions (51) within the win over the Netherlands.
The availability of a fit-again Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria would provide extra choices to educate Lionel Scaloni, who is predicted to go for a again 4 after utilizing a 5-3-2 system towards the Dutch. “Both the players are fit and have trained. and we will need to see how many minutes they can play,” he stated.
Dalic is perhaps tempted to introduce Bruno Petkovic from the beginning rather than Andrej Kramaric after his dramatic equaliser towards Brazil, however Croatia’s modus operandi would all the time be to take this recreation deep and depend on Livakovic’s heroics.
It will proceed to play the function of the underdog and depend on the collective to take a step nearer to redemption and cease Messi’s quest for a similar.
-Ayon Sengupta
When and the place to observe
When will the Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match kick-off?
The Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match will kick-off at 12:30 am IST, December 14.
Where will the Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match kick-off?
The Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match will kick-off on the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Where are you able to watch the Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match in India?
The Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match might be telecasted reside on Sports18 and Sports18 HD. On Android and nicely as iOS, the 2022 FIFA World Cup might be reside streamed on JioCinema.
Where are you able to watch theArgentina vs Croatia semifinal match exterior India?
Argentina – Live Stream: Telemundo
United States – TV: FOX, Telemundo; Live Stream: fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada – TV: CTV, TSN; Live Stream: fuboTV, TSN app
United Kingdom – TV: BBC One; Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Australia – TV: SBS; Live Stream: SBS On Demand
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sports; Live Stream: Sky Sport
Malaysia – TV: RTM, Astro; Live Stream: Astro Go
Singapore – TV: Mediacorp Channel 5; Live Stream: StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV
Hong Kong – TV: BeIN Sports, ITV; Live Stream: Now TV, ViuTV
Nigeria – TremendousSport and Showmax Pro.
